1,000 Extension Agents Trained in Kano, Nigeria
KANO STATE, NIGERIA – Government agricultural extension agents have an important role to play in supporting Nigerian farmers. However, they often do not receive sufficient training in modern agricultural practices.
During the second week of June, East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT) provided training to 1,060 extension agents from the Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), increasing their capacity in climate-resilient vegetable farming. We conducted the training over two days, with 520 extension agents trained on the first day and 540 on the second.
This event was conducted in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) under the THRIVE (Training in Horticulture, Resilience, and Income for Vegetable Entrepreneurship and Sustainability) project, with the goal of equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to effectively train vegetable farmers across Kano state.
Held at the vegetable production learning site at Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, the training covered key areas of vegetable cultivation:
- Seedling production and nursery management
- Transplanting, spacing, mulching, and trellising
- Fertilization and nutrient management
- Integrated pest management (IPM) and responsible use of pesticides
- Post-harvest handling and management
To ensure effective learning and active participation, the extension agents were divided into groups and rotated across several practical learning stations. EWS-KT staff provided hands-on demonstrations and technical guidance throughout the exercise, allowing all participants to receive comprehensive training in every area.
Crop production guides were also distributed to all participants. Developed by EWS-KT and WUR, these reference materials will support the extension agents in applying the knowledge they gained during the training.
In addition, as part of post-training support, participants were enrolled in EWS-KT’s online Crop Advisor Trainer certification course, through which they can continue to strengthen their technical competencies.
This initiative represents a significant milestone toward strengthening agricultural extension services in Kano state. By equipping extension personnel with advanced knowledge and practical skills in vegetable production, we are facilitating the dissemination of improved agricultural practices to thousands of smallholder farmers—ultimately contributing to increased productivity, improved livelihoods, and sustainable agricultural development across the state.
